Ladi6 would really like you to take a break because busyness is overrated

The queen of New Zealand hip hop gives her take on what’s important in life.

Ladi6 has led a busy life. Born and raised in Christchurch, the Samoan hip hop artists moved to Africa with her family as a teenager, and lived in Tanzania for a year, where the music spark was lit. Returning to Christchurch, she was a breakdancer and founding member of New Zealand’s first all-female hip hop crew Sheelahroc.

As a solo artist, Ladi6 (Caroline Park-Tamati) has nearly every New Zealand accolade going – multiple New Zealand Music Awards as well as the Taite Music Prize. Last year, she released Le Vā, her first full-length album in nearly 10 years. A tribute to her late mother Fuarosa, Le Vā captured Ladi6 in a transitional period, navigating the loss of her mother as well as the family fallout that followed, and bagged three nominations at this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards.

Today, she says she’s “just looking for a life of peace… no drama” as she continues to work on projects that are meaningful to her, all the while studying to become a certified counsellor. She says when she becomes qualified, she hopes to “offer well-being services to my music community and to those transitioning through life’s big changes”.

In the meantime, she’s performing in this year’s Matariki celebrations on Karangahape Road. On Thursday, July 9, K’ Road will play host to a free all-day (literally all day, it begins at sunrise, 6.30am) festival of music, storytelling and light. Ladi6 will take the stage alongside a stacked lineup including the likes of Halfqueen and MĀ.

She shares her life advice with The Spinoff below.

What gets you up in the morning?

Purpose. I like feeling useful.

What sort of people do you avoid?

People who are committed to misunderstanding others. We all get things wrong, but if someone has no curiosity about another person’s experience, I find that difficult.

How do you hold onto hope in these crazy times?

By paying attention to my community. The news can make humanity look pretty grim, but real life is full of people caring for each other and showing up when it matters.

What is the single best quality a human can have?

Humility. If you can admit you don’t know everything, you’re capable of learning, changing and growing.

What’s over-rated?

Being busy. We wear exhaustion like a badge of honour when often it’s just a sign that we need to define and take rest for ourselves.

What’s under-rated?

Consistency. Most of the things I’ve achieved came from showing up over and over again long after the excitement wore off.

If you could have a do-over, what would you change?

I’d spend less time worrying about whether I belonged in certain rooms. The older I get, the more I realise everyone is figuring it out as they go. Belonging is a commitment to yourself not a an accolade to earn.

What brings you joy?

Family time. Couch rot. Karaoke. Meaningful chat. Watching people become more themselves. Good food, walks in nature, occasionally getting loose and lit, and, my furbaby Suki.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Hope is a discipline, not a feeling.

What advice do you wish you’d never followed?

The idea that you should push through no matter what. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is rest, pause or change direction.

Tell us about a controversial opinion you hold.

I don’t think every passion needs to become a business. Some things are worth doing simply because they nourish your soul.

When you’re feeling low, what helps?

Resting with internal, self-soothing, compassionate monologuing. Hugs with my honey and my family. Walking. Talking to people I trust. Music. Meditation. Getting out of my own head and back into my body. And reminding myself that feelings are like passing weather, not permanent conditions.

In what ways is public-facing Ladi6 different to private Ladi6?

Public-facing Ladi6 is more certain, bossy and louder.

Private Ladi6 is quieter, loves to overthink things and spends a surprising amount of time trying to figure out what her dog is trying to tell her.

Give us some life advice.

Build a life you don’t constantly need to escape from. Invest in your relationships. Save money earlier than you think you need to. Learn how to sit with discomfort. Be kind, but have boundaries. Remember that success means very little if you don’t have the people you love around to share it with.

Te Karanga-a-Hape – Matariki 2026 runs 6.30am-10pm on Thursday July 9. See here for more information.